What happens when you file unemployment with NYS Department of Labor - complete process timeline?
Just lost my job last Friday and I'm trying to understand the whole process of what happens when you file unemployment with NYS Department of Labor. I've never done this before and I'm honestly pretty confused about the timeline. Like do I get benefits right away or is there a waiting period? What exactly happens after I submit my initial application? I keep reading about adjudication and weekly claims but I don't really understand what that means. Can someone walk me through step by step what I should expect? I really need to know how long this whole thing takes because I have bills due next week.
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Malik Robinson
Here's the basic timeline: After you file your initial claim on my.ny.gov, NYS Department of Labor reviews your application which can take 1-3 business days for simple cases. If there are no issues, you'll get approved and can start filing weekly claims. Your first payment typically comes 2-3 weeks after filing because there's a waiting week. However, if your claim goes into adjudication (meaning they need to verify something like your separation reason), it can take 4-8 weeks longer. You MUST file weekly claims even while waiting for adjudication to keep your claim active.
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GalaxyGlider
•Wait so I might not get anything for 2 months?? That's terrifying. What exactly triggers adjudication?
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Isabella Silva
Adjudication gets triggered by several things - if you were fired for misconduct, quit voluntarily, or if your employer contests your claim. Also if there are discrepancies in your work history or wages. The good news is most straightforward layoffs don't go through adjudication. Make sure when you file that you're completely honest about why you lost your job.
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GalaxyGlider
•I was laid off due to budget cuts so hopefully that's straightforward. Should I file today or wait until Monday?
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Malik Robinson
•File as soon as possible! Your benefit year starts the week you file, not when you lost your job. Don't wait.
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Ravi Choudhury
ugh this whole system is such a nightmare. I filed 6 weeks ago and still stuck in adjudication hell. called like 50 times and can never get through to an actual person at NYS Department of Labor. the automated system just hangs up on you after being on hold for 2 hours
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Isabella Silva
•I had the same problem with getting through to NYS Department of Labor agents. Ended up using a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that actually got me connected to someone within a day. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI showing how it works. Saved me weeks of trying to call myself.
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Freya Andersen
Don't forget about the job search requirements! Once your claim is approved you need to log at least 3 job search activities per week and keep records in case they audit you. This caught me off guard my first time filing.
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GalaxyGlider
•What counts as job search activities? Just applying for jobs or other stuff too?
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Freya Andersen
•Applying for jobs, networking events, career fairs, updating your resume, even some online training courses. NYS Department of Labor has a list on their website of what qualifies.
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Omar Farouk
same boat as OP, filed my claim yesterday and already anxious about when I'll see money. bills don't wait for government bureaucracy
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CosmicCadet
My timeline was: Filed on Tuesday, approved Friday, filed first weekly claim Sunday, got my debit card the following Wednesday, first payment hit Thursday. So about 9 days total but that was without any complications. Your mileage may vary depending on if NYS Department of Labor needs to verify anything with your employer.
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